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Welcome to Bonnie Blue Farm!

Home of Dry Creek Hollow & Bonnie Blue Farm Dairy Goats

and

Award Winning Farmstead Goat Cheeses!

We create farmstead cheeses from the milk produced by our herd of Nubian and Saanen dairy goats and our prized Jersey cows, Eileen & her daughter Brie. Dairy life requires endless work and attention to detail to achieve quality results in the finished cheeses. Everything matters - from the water the animals drink to the hay and pasture they consume to the strict routine of milking and cooling the milk, culminating in the utmost attention and care in cheesemaking and aging process. The awards and accolades received from chefs, judges and customers are the true rewards.

Ethical Meat series on Zagat

Even if you can't come to our farm and dairy this video will show you what goes on - especially when a special guest chef comes to visit. Ethical Meat - Goat Cheese

Young Saanen does bred for more cheese milk

Aged raw goat milk Tanasi Tomme

This season we've focused our breeding on Saanens with the higher casein B allele which increases cheese yield - known as alpha s1 casein. Cheesemakers and producers of milk for cheese should take advantage of this genetic improvement - the difference in the vat is nothing short of amazing! More cheese, less whey, firmer curd, slightly increased set time, better flavor. Call or email to see about adding these genetics to your herd.

Resource for Local Food

Our friend Lisa has put together a great resource for anyone in Middle Tennessee seeking out the freshest, ripest and most flavorful seasonal offerings. Best of all it's grown locally! Copies can be picked up all over mid TN with the on-line version available here. Local Table Enjoy the bounty each season has to offer!

Farm Entrance

Bonnie Blue Farm Cheese Studio

Bonnie Blue Farm - Grade A Goat Dairy

In April of 2006 we became the only licensed Grade A goat dairy in Tennessee . We worked for two and a half years constructing and equipping the dairy building; milk parlor, milk room, holding pens, bathroom, and a herdsman's apartment. Then the cheese studio was built, equipped and completed. We were inspected by the Tennessee Dept. of Agriculture and cheesemaking began.

Our dairy herd consists of Nubian and Saanen dairy goats. We participate in American Dairy Goat Association programs for milk production through Dairy Herd Improvement and type via Linear Appraisal. The data from these programs guide us in making breeding choices and selection of replacement stock.

The does are fed free choice alfalfa hay from a local supplier. They receive a dairy goat grain ration in the milking parlor and we go for daily walks through the surrounding fields and woods. This gives the goats and the herdsman ample exercise and time to observe the changing scenery and browse which coincides with the seasons. The milk produced is truly the essence of our land.

The milk from the dairy herd is made into various types of fresh and aged cheeses. We offer farm tours for a fee and there is a log cabin available for guests who want a quiet getaway or to experience life on a working dairy.

Nubian Bucks

We have several Nubian bucks which bring together genetics from several blood lines: Copper Hill, Oak Gold, Rio del Oro and Kastdemur's with a sprinkling of others contributing. Plus we have many more to choose from through the use of artificial insemination. Nubians are known for high butterfat and combining that with the high producing genetics from sons or sires of Top Ten does will hopefully produce a long lived, superior dairy goat.

Saanen Bucks

Our Saanen bucks come from American stock. We use as much artificial insemination as possible using Saanen bloodlines chosen because of their use in two well-known herds: Redwood Hill/Companeros and des Ruhigestelle.

Nubian Does

Our herd was exclusively Nubians in the beginning and we have used many lines over the years. Consistency of well attached udders and long lactations are a challenge in the Nubian breed. We have daughters of outstanding bucks like Desert Acres Crown Diplomat, (Crown Ambassador son), Oak Gold Beau Blaiser (Trailblaiser son), Reghers Alginon's Beaujolais (Breakaway half brother), Copper Hill Breakawy's Blazer and Copper Hill O'Boy.

Saanen Does

In 1999 we purchased our first Saanen from Redwood Hill and although Lightning is no longer with us many of the female progeny from her three daughters are still here. We didn't have a Saanen buck so artificial insemination was how we bred Lightning. Using bucks to increase the butterfat and protein without giving up the high production the Saanen breed is known for, has been our goal. We have tried to recreate some of the genetics of Redwood Hill, whom we admire.

Goat Milk Cheese for Sale

Our agri-tourism and cheese business has earned many valuable customers at farmers' markets, stores and restaurants. Many printed articles, feature films, radio and TV segments about us have introduced our cheese to an ever growing number of cheese aficianados. We've entered many cheese competitions placing well with several different cheeses. Some of the best exposure has been at the farmers' markets. The movement of buying locally produced, safe, natural and healthy food makes our cheese in high demand. We sell at the Memphis Farmers' Market. Our cheese is available at several Nashville & Memphis stores or on the farm but call first (931) 722-GOAT (4628) to be sure we have what you want.

Farm Tours

We are not offering farm tours at this time.

Log Cabin Farm Stays

Experience true peace and quiet of the country. Our cozy log cabin is available for your enjoyment. The kitchen is fully equipped. Stay a night or a month-all seasons have their own charm. The goat dairy barn is nearby and cheesemaking takes place in the cheese studio. There's very limited cell phone coverage.

Relax on the front porch and read or watch birds or join in the daily farm activities. Just the right getaway for two people. No pets please-our herd protection dogs do not tolerate other animals on their farm.